New Resort Management Board and CEO for Falls Creek

The new appointments were announced recently.

The new Resort Management Board members are:

• Mark Anderson – chair
• Diana Patterson – deputy chair
• Stacey Daniel
• Lynnette Gibbs
• Graham Irish
• Roger Kilby
• Charles Warren

 The new RMB CEO is David Herman.

Annual General Meeting

Date: Tuesday 25th May
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Royal Brighton Yacht Club, 253 St Kilda St Brighton

All members are encouraged to attend and contribute to a successful AGM.

AGM's for the other AAC lodges will be held concurrently in other rooms at the venue. The bar will be open before and after the meetings and a light supper will be provided, so take the opportunity to socialise with other members.

Summer Associate Membership of Falls Creek Huette

As our organisation’s philosophy is 'affordable accommodation for families' to enjoy winter sports and the Australian Alps the Committee is always looking to expand Lodge utilisation.

To increase utilisation of the Lodge over summer, the Club has introduced a ‘Summer Associate Membership’ which will allow more winter guests and non-members to experience the Lodge.

A Summer Associate only has booking rights at AAC Falls Creek during the summer months and has no voting rights or reciprocal rights with any other AAC Lodge.

As we are a part of the Falls Creek and Alpine community, there are a number of other groups who have expressed a desire to support the Falls Creek community and we should support them. An example is a conservation group, who have plans to use volunteer labour to remove weeds from the Alpine National Park. The Committee have agreed that supporting groups like this and other sporting groups to enjoy the National Park over summer, can best be managed by the 'Summer Associate Membership' of Falls Creek Huette.

Snow Rewards

The lift company are offering a Snow Rewards program this year. It costs $49 and offers:

• One Day Lift Only Pass (Peak Season): $90 per day
• One Day Lift Only Pass (Value Season): $70 per day
• Only $50 for a 2 hour group lesson (10am or 1.30pm)
• discount vouchers

It is valid for Hotham as well as Falls Creek

If you sign up before 1 May 2010, you go in the draw to win a Spring Skiing (September) weekend for two valued at $1500.

More info at www.fallscreek.com.au/SnowRewards

Resort Entry Season Passes

Early bird Falls Creek resort entry passes save about 15%, but you need to buy before 30th April. Day entry this year will be $32, so you would break even on an early bird pass on the 8th day.

Early bird price: $230
Full price: $270


If you purchase online from Fall's Creek online agent, there is a competition to win $800 worth of Ripcurl ski clothes and accessories. Alternatively you can download a form and fax or mail it.

All resort (Victoria) season passes are also available before 30th April. For details see http://www.fallscreek.com.au/ResortEntry

Early bird price: $437

Full price: $470

Season Passes

Falls Creek have published their season pass prices. The early bird pass will be a "Super Pass" that includes Perisher (as well as Hotham).

If you buy your pass before 27 May, the prices are
$1,149 for adults
$649 for children aged 6yrs – Year 12 and for adults aged 65+

(There seems to be discrepancy with the child ticket age cut-off, so it might be worth checking with the lift company. Hotham website says full time secondary students to 18 can get the child super pass)

After that date, Perisher is not included. Full price season passes will be
$1399 adults
$790 children & secondary students
$799 full time tertiary students
$700 seniors 65-69

Season 6 Passes (no Saturdays)
$1149 adults
$635 children & secondary students
$575 seniors 65-69

There is also a competition to get your pass for free if you buy before 7 May.

March Long Weekend - No private cars in village

The village will be very busy with the 3 Peaks cycle race.

Resort Management have decided to restrict car parking in the village from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th. Only Authorised Vehicle Permit holders will be allowed to park within the Village. Vehicles without an authorized permit will be issued with an Infringement Notice. (Permits will only be granted to the nominated vehicles of business owners and permanent residents.)

From www.fallscreek.com.au

PARKING PROCESS

• All visitors that arrive will be greeted at Falls Creek Road intersection
• Drivers will be given a temporary pass which allows them 30 minutes of access time into the village to deliver passengers and luggage.
• All drivers must then return to Falls Creek Road Intersection where they will be greeted by a transporter and directed to an allocated car park.
• Transporters will then chauffer drivers back to their accommodation in the village if desired.

CAR COLLECTION - For the collection of vehicles upon leaving the mountain

• Drivers will be chauffeured to the car park from a bus stop and drivers will again be able to drive their vehicles to their accommodation to pick up luggage and passengers
• Where possible drivers are encouraged to walk to their vehicles for collection.
• Please note, this service will only be available until Monday 8th March until 4pm.

FREE VILLAGE SHUTTLE

• A free village shuttle will operate throughout the village during the weekend to shuttle pedestrians that are mobility impaired or unable to walk. This shuttle will operate on a set route at a very slow speed and visitors are encouraged to wait at designated bus stops.

Top Coat for Bogong High Plains Road

The Bogong High Plains road from Falls Creek to the Omeo Highway was sealed last summer, but it was always intended to follow that up with a second seal this year.

From the Alpine Shire website

The Bogong High Plains Road will receive its final seal starting on Wednesday, 24 February. The work is expected to take more than a week.

Alpine Shire Council's Manager Strategic Services, John Carter said the final seal and guard rail will be installed to complete the road sealing project.

"It is expected there will be minor delays while the work is in progress and the surface will be vacuumed of loose stones at the same time," Mr Carter said.

"This will be welcomed by all the road users. The unique Alpine loop that can be enjoyed by car tourers, motorcyclists and road cyclists alike is already proving popular.

The sealed road makes the Hotham - Falls Creek loop accessible to drivers who prefer to avoid dirt roads. It's a great day trip of about 225km.

The Bogong High Plains road will still be closed during the snow season

CODE RED for North East on Tuesday 12 Jan

Tuesday 12th Jan has been declared a Code Red (Catastrophic) fire danger rating for the North East Fire District, which includes Falls Creek. The Government's advice on such days is that "If you live in a bushfire prone area the safest option is to leave the night before, or early in the morning".

From Parks Victoria and DSE

Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) advise that all national and state parks and forests in the North Country and the North East will be closed tomorrow in the interest of public safety.

“Many of our parks are large, open landscapes surrounding roads and towns, so access cannot be prevented. We can only stress the intense level of fire risk in these bushland areas and close visitor sites wherever possible,” ...

Those who are already in a park or forest area are advised the safest option is to leave tonight or early tomorrow morning. Bushfires which start on a day of CODE RED Fire Danger Rating may be uncontrollable, unpredictable and move quickly.

Parks Victoria and DSE encourage visitors already in these areas to contact the local Visitor Information Centre to find out about alternative tourism opportunities in lower risk areas.

billy carts and other summer fun

Every year there seem to be more summer activities at Falls. This year has plenty lined up.

• Christmas Carols 24/12
• The Summit chair will be running for walkers, sightseers and mountain bikes from 27 Dec to 3 Jan. Day passes $20 adults, $12 kids. Single rides $11 and $7. Kids under 5 are free.
• Cricket Match in the Nordic Bowl 26 Dec
• Kids Club summer activities every day from 27 Dec to 30 Jan. (Kids must be accompained by parent or guardian).
• Outdoor cinema on 27 Dec and Wed nights
  
• celebrate indigenous music and culture at the Big Fella Festival Jan 2
• Billy Cart Derby Jan 9 - cart inspection 9-10, racing from 10:30. Limited numbers so register early.
• Bush Bash Jan 9 in the Village Bowl
• Taste of Falls Creek 16-17 Jan
  
• Dragon Boat Races 23-24 Jan

And not forgetting

• Mountain bike hire from The Board Lounge at St Falls (Quay West)
• Falls Creek Sports sale 27 Dec - 3 Jan
• New Year's Eve parties at various bars and restaurants
• Guided walks, the Alpine Wild Walk shuttle, Sunset tours - for bookings and times call 1800 2 FALLS

More information and Billy Cart Derby entry forms available at http://www.fallscreek.com.au